OF

GOVERNOR FAIRFIELD,

TO

BOTH BRANCHES OF THE LEGISLATURE,

OF THE

STATE OF MAINE,

MAY 18, 1842.

AUGUSTA:

WM. R. SMITH & Co......PRINTERS TO THE STATE.

MESSAGE.

To the Senate and

House of Representatives:

I herewith lay before you an official communication from the Hon. Daniel Webster, secretary of state for the United States, under date of the eleventh of April last, relating to the northeastern boundary. By which, it will be perceived, that "Lord Ashburton, a minister plenipotentiary and special, from Great Britain, has arrived at the seat of government of the United States, charged with full powers from his sovereign to negotiate and settle the different matters in discussion between the two governments." And, that in regard to the boundary question, he has officially announced to the government at Washington, that he has authority to treat for a conventional line, or line by agreement, on such terms and conditions, and with such mutual considerations and equivalents, as may be thought just and equitable; and that he is ready to enter upon a negotiation for a conventional line so soon as the general government shall say it is authorized and ready on its part, to commence such negotiation."

Under these circumstances, the President of the United States has invited the cooperation of the governments of Maine and Massachusetts in an endeavor to terminate this long pending controversy.

The communication states further, "that, without the concurrence of the two States whose rights are more immediately concerned "_" the duty of the general government will be to adopt no new course; but to hasten the pending negotiations as fast as possible." And it is subsequently added, that, "the government has agreed to make it [the boundary question] matter of reference and arbitration, and it must fulfil that agreement unless another mode of settling the controversy should be resorted to with the hope of producing a speedier decision."

The President then proposes, it is stated, "that the governments of Maine and Massachusetts should severally appoint a commisioner or commissioners empowered to confer with the authorities of the general government upon a conventional line, or line by agreement; with its terms, conditions, considerations and equivalents, with an understanding that no such line will be agreed upon without the assent of such commissioners."

It is further stated, that in view of the fact, that the British mission "is a special one, and its stay in the United States is not expected to be long"-" that, more than four months of the session of Congress has already passed," its action, perhaps, being necessary, if, happily, a treaty should be concluded-"the importance of the subject ”—and “a firm conviction in the mind of the President that the interest of both countries, as well as the interests of the the two States more immediately concerned, require a prompt effort to bring this dispute to an end, constrain him to express an earnest hope, that the Executive of this State will convene the legislature and submit the subject to their grave and candid deliberation."

With this request I have deemed it my duty to comply; and now submit for your consideration the matters presented in the communication aforesaid.

This step has not been taken without mature deliberation. The expense of an extra session-the busy season of the year-the danger of divided and distracted councils-as well as other considerations bearing upon the point, have not been overlooked. But, weighty as they are, it has nevertheless seemed to me, that I should not have been justified in refusing to give the people an opportunity, through their Representatives, to entertain and decide a question of so much importance as the one now presented. And whatever might have been my individual opinions as to the ultimate action that should be had, the duty of convening the Legislature would have been regarded as no less imperative; this duty being distinct from, and independent of, that devolving upon the legislature when convened. The responsibility of further action now rests with you; by whom, I have no doubt, it will be met and discharged with that calmness, prudence and deliberation, required no less by your own high reputation, than fidelity to your constituents.

The question presented for your consideration is not a party question-but is, emphatically, a State question—one in which the whole people are interested, and on which their opinions and wishes should be truly reflected. The subject of the boundary has ever appeared to me to constitute a common ground, from which party policy and party strifes should be seduously excluded; and on which no other contention or rivalry should be witnessed, than that, which naturally springs from an ardent zeal in the